The UK government has announced a new initiative to enhance the sustainability of fish stocks through the implementation of Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) technology in English waters. This technology includes cameras, gear sensors, and GPS units to ensure accurate recording of catches and prevent unlawful discarding of fish. The data collected will help manage fish stocks sustainably and increase confidence in the sustainability of UK fish among retailers and consumers.

The Office for National Statistics conducts a fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). The voluntary responses received from the latest survey revealed the following insights.

The Office for National Statistics conducts a fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). The voluntary responses received from the latest survey revealed the following insights.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has now received Royal Assent and become law in the UK. This new legislation aims to protect consumers and promote fair competition, particularly targeting large technology companies.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 brought in reforms to Companies House procedures and powers with the first phase applying from 4 March 2024. The reforms will contribute to making the information held in the company register more reliable and usable, protecting individuals and businesses from fraud and preventing the misuse of UK companies by international money laundering networks.

A spreadsheet released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in response to a freedom of information request contained personal information about all 9,483 serving PSNI officers and staff. The information which was included in a “hidden” tab in the spreadsheet was published online. The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) found that PSNI’s internal procedures and sign-off protocols for safely disclosing information were inadequate.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued guidance to help developers, engineers, decision makers and risk owners in creating and using machine learning systems. Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence where computers find patterns in data or solve problems automatically.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act has become law and will affect owners of freeholds for leasehold properties as well as house builders. The new reforms mean that leaseholders no longer have to wait two years before they can buy or extend their lease. If they do extend their lease, the Act increases the standard lease extension term to 990 years for both houses and flats.

The Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS) has reopened for grant applications. An additional £2 million of funding has been made available to support England’s seafood sector. The scheme is administered by Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Defra and is designed to help the fisheries and seafood sector in a number of ways.

Official figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics show that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) dropped to 2.3% for the 12 months to April 2024. This is down from 3.2% for the 12 months to March 2024. The new energy price caps and resulting fall in gas and electricity prices were the main factors behind the decrease. However, rises in the price of petrol and diesel meant the rate did not fall as low as it might otherwise have done.